Incense Flash

Now this is interesting. As soon as I hit the trigger, I smell the cult favorite L'Air du Desert Marocain, or something so similar as to fool my nose for a few seconds. There is that incredible scent of cedar wood that we are already so familiar with in Tauer's perfumes, tossed with an Arabian spice blend. Could be cumin, coriander, or both. I also sense dried herbs, maybe rosemary or sage, which lends a camphorous, sticky effect that weaves its way throughout the perfume. Very quickly, as in 1-2 minutes, a prominent note of leather comes in, so you know this is not L'Air du Desert Marocain. We are still very much in the desert sands, but rather than than the scent of sand baking under the scorching sun, Incense Flash is more like Arabian riders on their horses, riding through the night on some sort of secret mission to invade some territory or kill someone or other. I don't know what they are up to, but it can't be good. I can picture the hot sands and the midnight blue sky with twinkling stars above. So beautiful and quiet but foreboding at the same time. Black leather dominates the heart of the perfume, so much so that I forget this is supposed to be called Incense Flash, not Leather Flash. The base is where I detect a prominent note of Boswellia (frankincense), reminding us that the Arabian desert is an ancient land with ancient traditions and rituals of worship. The leather begins to take on a subtle creaminess that is really nice, and I also pick up the sharp green-ness often associated with many varieties of frankincense. Lovers of L'Air du Desert Marocain who also love leather are going to swoon over this release. I think the main point to take away is that while L'Air du Desert Marocain dries down into sweet amber and woods, Incense Flash dries down into leather and bitter frankincense. Sillage is medium and becomes closer to the skin after an hour, but the perfume lasts many hours. Andy Tauer does not tell us the notes, so here is my totally subjective pyramid, based on what I smell: Rosemary Sage Cedar Amber Black leather Cumin White pepper Frankincense

If you're searching for a liturgical or "churchy" type of incense scent, I'd say this isn't really it. Andy Tauer's latest Flash offering is far more modern and industrial than that. I actually think this is more predominantly a leather based scent and I'd suggest that had it been called Leather Flash, no one would have raised an eyebrow. I get some olibanum and perhaps some benzoin resins, but they are subtle. There's also a lovely cedar note that's pervasive throughout the journey. But what strikes me more here is this unusual take on a leather accord. It seems to be a similar iteration to that in Lonestar Memories. I also find a very similar take in the Comme des Garcons scents, Tar & Garage. More so the former as an overall scent, but that leather accord is very similar in both. It certainly shares a certain 'plasticky' note in the opening with Tar as well as that kind of futuristic, leather and grease, post industrial vibe found also in Lonestar Memories. There's certainly no church in sight! I think there seems to be a hint of styrax and perhaps even some subtle floral touches as well, perhaps it's a little dry rose to balance out all the darkness? Maybe also some Jasmine? I find the journey fairly linear myself, which is certainly not a criticism. There's some development there as that opening burns off and the scent mellows, but I get a similar tonality for the majority of the journey otherwise. Overall it's a very well balanced and intelligent perfume that is easy to wear and quite versatile. I find it lacks the usual projection we've come to know from Tauer scents, but it has extremely good longevity (as always). At this no-frills price point, for a niche offering, you'd be a fool not to snap this up! A great perfume at a sensible price. How refreshing!

Incense is a note with titanic proportions, pretty much like vetiver. It also is a multifaceted material with hints of citrus and evocative of smoke (through its primarily use). I love incense and own many compositions, others more minimal others more plethoric. Incense flash is of the former type. Tauer utilizes an accord of high grade frankincense, dry woods and ambroxan. The scent opens with incense and features mostly the dry vein and character of this material feeling very crisp and piney. Then comes the brilliant ambroxan which pairs ideally with the incense providing an ambery, musky (salty skin like) warmth for a surprisingly ultralong-lasting and greatly distinctive drydown. Tauer is certainly one the most charismatic perfumers of the new age. His L’Air du Desert Marocain proves this beyond doubt. Incense Flash is simple (not simplistic) but ingenious, very classy and goes on forever. Frankly after testing and owning many incenses I was a bit disappointed with the lack of novelty throughout the genre. Incense Flash is the best incense fragrance I have tested in years. Not in the league of Bois D’Encens since it lacks its complexity and nuance but the most brilliant Tauer I have come across since LAdDM and certainly full bottle worthy. Excellent work.

Something made me think this was going to be a very lovely but straight forward Olibanum/Galbanum, fresh, fizzy, green incense...I don't know what gave me that impression because it has the classic signature of Andy Tauer daubed all over it. There's olibanum charm here for sure but Incense Flash is very dry, slightly dirty and full of dense woodsy character. This is kind of incense which possesses virtually no sweetness whatsoever. Like a dry amber accord, that old bookcase vibe but without the warmth and instead more oily with all the exotic charm of the Marrakesh markets he seems to cram into his scents. This is very good and right up my street so many incense fragrances disappoint me, not by being bad just the same tired fragrance I've smelled a million times. Tauer has created an interesting resinous scent here, more in the style of L'ADDM or Lonestar memories than Incense extreme (which I found a bit dull) so credit to him.

Wow A knight in shining armour This is exactly brave knight fragrance for winter! I can wear this masterpiece in autumn too but it will shine in winter very good Wow when i spray it i feel lots of high quality and luxury incense which is cover it with lots of dru wooods too Wow i fall in love with it Its really nice dry incense woody fragrance that i ve ever smell I got with 30 ml bottle thats good money and love to pay another for back up :) The longevity to me was +16 hours and projection was super good I spray it every time 3 spray 2 on my skin and one on clothes And it works perfectly ,thank you Mr. Tauer very nice fragrance It worth every penny and dollar also its super good price to me :) My rate is : My rates : Scent : 10/10 Performances : 10/10 Longevity : 9/10 Projection : 10/10 Value of money : 10/10 Overall : 9.8/10 Thumbs up